Bygone Rolex AD Photo's

[Explorer2polar]

Hi TRF,

Combining two of my hobbies Rolex watches and Photograph collecting, i thought I would post this photo of one of the Early Rolex dealers "Paragon Jewellers" in my home town (Sunderland had 4 Rolex dealers at one time, none now sadly).

As a youngster I would often press my nose against the Window of the local Rolex dealer with excitement and drool over the array of early Rolex Sports watches.

There were no supply problems back then, everything was available and the prices seemed very reasonable and attainable. I wish I could go back in a time machine and buy them, good memories from my early years of Rolex fascination.

[arcampado]

Very nice story and photo. Thanks for sharing!

[jamesthejeweller]

Sweet! I have a picture of my local AD in the 50s and 60s also some printed adverts. You can also see Patek & Oris ADs, all photos are from 40s to 60s. Gibraltar has a long history with timepieces and jewellery that exists to this day.



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[1William]

Nice post. I like pictures almost as much as I like watches.

[Mervynilous]

Interesting drawing. Looks like a datejust with a president bracelet.

[Explorer2polar]

Hi TRF,

This is the UK's First Rolex dealer its ID. number is 101, its in Pilgrim street Newcastle.

[Old Expat Beast]

Here's another: https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=421972

[Avs Fan]

Love seeing old photos like these!

[Explorer2polar]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Here's another: https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=421972

Thanks for the Link, some super old photo's.

[Explorer2polar]

Originally Posted by jamesthejeweller

Sweet! I have a picture of my local AD in the 50s and 60s also some printed adverts. You can also see Patek & Oris ADs, all photos are from 40s to 60s. Gibraltar has a long history with timepieces and jewellery that exists to this day.



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Thats a fantastic set of photos, Thanks for sharing them.

[Amazing Lady]

One of the nicest ones today is the building in Ottawa.

[bulldawg]

Nice photos.

[jackminny15]

Pretty cool? My eyes suck, is that Mido above the big Patek sign in the left-most photo?

[Walts]

Originally Posted by Explorer2polar

Hi TRF,

Combining two of my hobbies Rolex watches and Photograph collecting, i thought I would post this photo of one of the Early Rolex dealers "Paragon Jewellers" in my home town (Sunderland had 4 Rolex dealers at one time, none now sadly).

As a youngster I would often press my nose against the Window of the local Rolex dealer with excitement and drool over the array of early Rolex Sports watches.

There were no supply problems back then, everything was available and the prices seemed very reasonable and attainable. I wish I could go back in a time machine and buy them, good memories from my early years of Rolex fascination.

Brings back nice memories I remember doing the same thing

[Explorer2polar]

Originally Posted by Walts

Brings back nice memories I remember doing the same thing

My ritual was Saturday mornings or school holidays, I would make a trip just to walk past the Northern Goldsmiths window, they had a beautiful display of Rolex always on show.

I remember a display one year where a Rolex Submariner positioned in the middle of a tilting Glass tank half filled with blue dyed water, this tank would move from side to side and the water would slosh from one end to the other like a breaking wave. Amazing and hypnotic to "watch" excuse the pun.

The manager of my local AD was always really kind, he would often say to me "One day I will be selling you one of these Rolex's" he would give me a brochure to take home.

Great memories from far off days.

[APPRF]

This picture was taken in 1940 of the first Rolex AD shop in the Gulf in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain. The second picture is of Hans Wisdorf the founder of Rolex with Naji Murad the owner of the shop. 1949

[Explorer2polar]

Originally Posted by APPRF

This picture was taken in 1940 of the first Rolex AD shop in the Gulf in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain. The second picture is of Hans Wisdorf the founder of Rolex with Naji Murad the owner of the shop. 1949

What an amazing pair of photo's, are you related to the AD owner ?

[APPRF]

No. I wish . I'ts from their official site.

[RamyAshour]

Cool photos, thanks for sharing

[Wahlberg]

Originally Posted by jamesthejeweller

Sweet! I have a picture of my local AD in the 50s and 60s also some printed adverts. You can also see Patek & Oris ADs, all photos are from 40s to 60s. Gibraltar has a long history with timepieces and jewellery that exists to this day.

Does anyone know the reference number for this Datejust, since it has a president bracelet?

[jamesthejeweller]

Originally Posted by jackminny15

Pretty cool? My eyes suck, is that Mido above the big Patek sign in the left-most photo?

Yeah Mido, also longines written on the wall.

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